This Week's Liturgy

Power

The Most Holy Trinity

Discussion Questions for Reading 1

Ancient peoples worshiped many gods and often made gold or bronze images of their gods. They made sacrifices to these idols and were ruled by them. What are some of the "idols" that people have created in our society today? What kinds of sacrifices do people make to these idols? Why do we let these things become so important that they can tend to rule our lives? Why is it important to be aware of any idols that take the place of God in our lives?

What prayers can you think of that honor the three divine persons in one God?

Reading 1 Reflection

Can you imagine what it would be like to have several different gods? You would have to spend a great deal of time and resources keeping up with all their various rules and required sacrifices. That is what it was like for the Israelites before God revealed himself to them through Moses. They became the first people in human history to recognize that there is one God and God is one.

We too have "fixed in our hearts" that there is one God. However, through Jesus, we have come to know that God is a union of three divine persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is this truth of our faith that we celebrate today.

Discussion Questions for Reading 2

A Swedish proverb says, "In every person, there is a prince [princess]. Speak to the prince [princess] and he [she] will come out." Who or what helps you to remember that you are a son or daughter of the King of Heaven? Who or what helps you to treat others as children of God? What are some of the consequences when people forget their own and others' human dignity?

What "family resemblance" would you most like to have to Jesus your Brother? Why? What resemblance do you already have?

Reading 2 Reflection

Imagine your happiness if you learned that you and your entire family had been adopted by a great king who would love and care for you forever. We sometimes forget that at our Baptism the Holy Spirit made us children of God, the King of Heaven and Earth. We were also made heirs or inheritors with Christ of all the Father's blessings.

As in our own families, we share both the blessings and the sufferings that come to us. Like Jesus, our Brother, we accept the sufferings so that we will one day be glorified with him.

Discussion Questions for Gospel

Share a story or a description of "One Thing I Really Enjoy about Our Parish Family." What are some of the ways young people might invite others to share their parish family life? How can young people help to make improvements in their parish family?

What ideas do you have about how your parish can reach out to people from other nations and cultures? How will you share these ideas?

Gospel Reflection

A good family is a blessing to be shared. In today's gospel, Jesus speaks to his gathered disciples. He sends them out to draw others into the family of God. They are to make disciples in every nation and baptize them "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." They are also to teach these new members of the family everything that Jesus has taught them.

We are called to this same mission. And Jesus promises to be with us always as we share our faith in him.

Proclaiming Faith Activities for Primary Grades

Renewing Our Baptism

Take the children to church and gather them around a font filled with holy water. Explain to the children that each time we dip our fingers into the holy water and make the Sign of the Cross, we are renewing our baptism.

Then share the reading from Matthew’s Gospel with the children. As you read the words of Jesus, have each child dip his or her fingers into the holy water and make the Sign of the Cross while saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

I Am With You Always

In the gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples that he will always be with them, even when they cannot see him. To illustrate this with the children, copy the oval on tag board for each child. Have the children cut these out and decorate with colored markers, sequins, stickers, and other craft materials. When these are dry, glue them onto a clothespin. Encourage the children to clip the clothespin onto their clothes or book sack as a reminder that Jesus is always with them.

Proclaiming Faith Activities

Composing a Litany

In the first reading, Moses reminds the people of all the wonderful things God has done for them.

Think about all the good things God has done for you and your family. Ask your parents what blessings their parents and families enjoyed.

Then compose a litany of thanks, naming each blessing your family has received from God.

For example: For bringing our grandparents safely to this country from ______________________________, we thank you, Lord.

Decide when you will pray this litany as a family. Invite grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to join you.

Writing a Cinquain

The poem below is called a cinquain (meaning five lines). Notice that each line has a specific number of syllables. Create your own cinquain about the Holy Trinity or the family of God.